West Ham United are reportedly ready to make an improved proposal for versatile Ghanaian attacker Mohammed Kudus after their opening bid was swiftly turned down by Ajax.
According to Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth, West Ham United are “expected to go back in” with a fresh bid for Ajax attacker Mohammed Kudus, having already seen an opening bid rejected by the Dutch giants.
The Hammers hierarchy could be set for a busy final few weeks of the transfer window. Indeed, West Ham are looking to spend the money earned from selling Declan Rice and have confirmed the arrivals of both Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse so far this summer. But there could be plenty more through the door in the coming days.
Stuttgart defender Konstantinos Mavropanos is also edging closer to an East London switch, with the defender expected to arrive in the English capital within the next 24 hours for his medical. The Hammers are also believed to be chasing a deal for Ajax star Mohammed Kudus to bolster their attack.
Still just 23 years of age, the Ghanaian is a highly coveted commodity in the market after he became a key man for Ajax last season, shining with his quality in the attacking third. He scored 18 goals and made seven assists in 42 appearances across all competitions last season, while he has also shone at the international level for Ghana, netting twice in three appearances at the 2022 World Cup.
Kudus’s current contract at the Johan Cruyff Arena is due to expire in 2025, but the player turned down the proposal of a one-year extension by the club in April and is keen on a move to the Premier League.
Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with a move for Kudus earlier this summer, with Brighton & Hove Albion having agreed in principle to sign him for £35 million earlier this month before the deal stalled.
Now, West Ham have leapfrogged everyone in the race and have seen an opening bid rejected by Ajax. The undisclosed bid was turned down out of hand as it fell way below the asking price of the Amsterdam outfit, who are still keen to keep hold of Kudus after the slew of star player departures this summer, notably Dusan Tadic and Edson Alvarez.
Anyway, the Hammers have already agreed on personal terms with the player and are ready to table a second offer. It was reported that West Ham’s technical director, Tim Steidten, flew to Amsterdam on Thursday in a bid to secure a deal for the Ghana international. As things stand, Steidten is still in Holland to try and iron out a favourable deal with the Dutch giants.
The Hammers recently completed a transfer from Ajax, signing midfielder Alvarez. So the relationship between the two clubs is said to be quite good. And while there is a difference in price points, the Hammers should be able to bridge it in the coming days. That said, it remains to be seen whether the Londoners’ second bid is enough to get this deal done or not.
